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PHONE AiPhone 12 Pro Max
No fresh verified price
Full specs →DATA-DRIVEN PHONE COMPARE
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (2nd generation)
21 source-backed differences · 8 fields the same. Official sources below.
✓Both records verified · latest Aug 19, 2026
PHONE BiPhone SE (2nd generation)
No fresh verified price
Full specs →Direct answer
iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone SE (2nd generation) trade strengths: iPhone 12 Pro Max leads in battery, Battery, display, camera and Cameras, while iPhone SE (2nd generation) leads in Design and performance.
Key differences
Prioritize what matters to you, then expand the full shared field set.
✓35 registry fields
FieldiPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
Front cameraMinor difference2 official sources12 MP7 MPFront camera changes affect selfies and video calls.
FieldiPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
ZoomMarginal difference1 official source5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 5x optical zoom rangeUnknownNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
Display sizeMeaningful difference2 official sources6.7 in4.7 inMore screen space changes reading and media comfort.
Outdoor brightnessMeaningful difference2 official sources[{"nits":800,"context":"typical"},{"nits":1200,"context":"hdr"}][{"nits":625,"context":"typical"}]Higher outdoor brightness improves sunlight readability.
FieldiPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
ChipMarginal difference2 official sourcesA14 BionicA13 BionicNewer silicon generally extends performance headroom.
FieldiPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
Video playbackMeaningful difference2 official sources20 hours13 hoursApple’s common playback test gives a comparable endurance signal.
Fast chargeMarginal difference2 official sourcesUp to 50% charge in 30 minutes 11 with 20W adapter or higher (sold separately)Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes 12 with 18W adapter or higher (sold separately)Shorter top-up time matters during travel and busy days.
FieldiPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
WeightMeaningful difference2 official sources228 g148 gWeight affects long sessions and one-handed comfort.
FieldiPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
Storage optionsMarginal difference2 official sources128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GBAvailable capacities determine local media and app headroom.
FieldiPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
Audio playback hoursMajor difference2 official sources8040No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Streamed video hoursMeaningful difference2 official sources128No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
Height mmMarginal difference2 official sources160.8138.4No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Width mmMarginal difference2 official sources78.167.3No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
Cpu coresMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown6No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Gpu coresMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown4No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Neural engine coresMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown8No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
CellularMarginal difference2 official sources5G sub-6 GHz and mmWaveLTENo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
WifiMarginal difference2 official sourcesWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)802.11ax Wi-FiNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
HdrMeaningful difference1 official sourcetrueUnknownNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
ResolutionMarginal difference2 official sources2778-by-1284-pixel resolution at 458 ppi1334-by-750-pixel resolution at 326 ppiNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
RatingMarginal difference2 official sourcesRated IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529Rated IP67 (maximum depth of 1 meter up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
What’s the same
Which should you buy?
iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone SE (2nd generation) trade strengths: iPhone 12 Pro Max leads in battery, Battery, display, camera and Cameras, while iPhone SE (2nd generation) leads in Design and performance.
- Choose iPhone 12 Pro Max if you prioritize battery, battery, display, camera and cameras.
- Choose iPhone SE (2nd generation) if you prioritize design and performance.
Category-by-category
Leads in battery.
Leads in battery.
Leads in design.
Leads in display.
Leads in camera.
Leads in performance.
Leads in cameras.
Comparable across display.
Comparable across performance.
Comparable across storage.
Comparable across body.
Comparable across connectivity.
Comparable across durability.
FIELD-LEVEL PROVENANCE
3 official sources
Every compared field traces to an official product source. No model-generated specs, prices or winners.